Celebrating differences

No two people are ever alike, and when those who are poles apart are caught in an unlikely situation, there is nothing that makes the event easier except something that connects them all. In Anahita Uberoi’s play Gaa Re Maa – a comical war of musical aspirations, personal tragedy, and familial angst, it is the music that binds her four (all different from each other) characters together. “While it is a heart-warming piece and a slice of life, it is also a story of a mother and son,” says Anahita. The play was first performed in Prithvi Festival last year and has travelled many other cities in India before marking its 12th show this weekend.

A quirky tale of two women and their sons trying to find harmony in their lives has the likes of Bharti Achrekar, playback singer Suneeta Rao, along with Zayn Marie Khan, Danny Sura, and Rituraj Shinde. The play proceeds through a series of bizarre encounters, hilarious misunderstandings, heartfelt confessions, and unexpected musical collaborations. “Each character in the play has a link to music and they are passionate in their own way, so music is an integral part of the story,” confirms the director. Adding that the play has all the emotions that everyone lives through everyday life.

The present scenario that is blown with disparities and conflicts inspires the director to celebrate the differences of opinions. “What connected me to the script was celebrating the differences. Life would be boring if there are no differences,” insists the director. Apart from the script, the range of actors that she combined from different theatre backgrounds drew her to direct this play. In fact, the director gets candid saying all the actors have healthy differences and that helped her bring the characters on stage, “They all have differences in their nature and that worked very well, making this process unique and exciting.”

While many theatrics believe the genre of comedy as an easier way of pulling in the audience, Anahita who also has a touch of humour in her play believes it’s the most difficult genre to pull of. “Comedy is not easy by any standards, it doesn’t mean silly. If it’s pulled the right way, it can actually uplift the play and fifty percent of your work is done,” asserts the director adding that it’s the heartwarming slice-of-life comedy that will feature in the play. “It will be a fun evening,” assures the director. Asked if humour needs more exploration, she denies saying comedy has always existed in a bundle and has been a part of Shakespeare’s plays as well, “Whether done well or not is a different thing,” she avers.

Being at the forefront of theatre for over three decades, Anahita has also been a part of multiple films, however, her first love remains theatre. “Both mediums have their own set of challenges, but performing in front of a live audience requires another kind of performance skills,” she smiles. Asked if working with Bharti was a challenging part, she recalls her acquaintance with her that stretches over forty years. “I have known Bharti for forty years and she is not only a fantastic actress but a wondrous cook, so she brings something every day on rehearsal,’ quips the director.